First-class sushi is worth the drive to Rio Rancho

by Shandea Williams

Daily Lobo

Ladies and gentlemen, we have found a winner.

Noda's Japanese Cuisine, at 2704 Southern Blvd. S.E. in Rio Rancho, is a rare gem. The restaurant and sushi bar will put any of its competitors in New Mexico to shame. For the last 10 years, Masayasu and Setsuko Noda have run the restaurant with the promise to befriend and please their customers. With its authentic dÇcor and creative dishes, the experience is worth the drive to Rio Rancho.

I enjoyed my first Ramune ($1.85), a Japanese carbonated soda sealed by a marble, which you pop into the bottle to drink.

With my main dish, I got a salad with homemade ginger dressing. The homemade dressing made a difference - it was delicious.

I also had two pieces of nigiri tuna ($4) and a green mustard roll ($7.50). The tuna was so fresh -- it melted in my mouth. The portion was generous, as well. The green mustard roll had tuna, avocado, wasabi mayonnaise and a homemade potato chip on each piece.

The spicy mayonnaise added a distinctive kick that complemented the tuna. Noda said the restaurant uses a blend of real wasabi, not the nose-burning horseradish most restaurants use. Real wasabi has a more appealing taste and won't make your eyes water as much.

For my entrÇe, I got a ginger beef platter with Japanese-style potato salad and cooked greens ($7.50). The ginger was subtle yet full of flavor, and the beef was perfectly prepared.

Although I was stuffed, I had to try a dessert. I told the waitress to surprise me, and she did. It was a piece of dessert art - almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. It was a fresh green tea custard with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, chocolate shavings and green tea powder topped with perfect spirals made of sugar. This decadent custard ($6.75) was worth every penny.

Noda's Japanese Cuisine is what I have been missing in my sushi-going adventures. With inventive rolls and high-grade fish, I would classify this restaurant as the best sushi within 30 minutes

of Albuquerque.

Noda's Japanese Cuisine

2704 Southern Blvd. S.E.

Tuesday-Saturday

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

5:30-9 p.m.

Recommendations:

Nigiri tuna ($4)

Green mustard roll ($7.50)

Ginger beef platter ($7.50)

Green tea custard ($6.75)